The world's auto companies say sales were up solidly from a year ago and from last month, however, the numbers were slightly short of what analysts expected.

General Motors led the way with more than 200,000 vehicles sold.

Ford, Toyota and Chrysler also moved more inventory.

One analyst says truck sales have been strong too and that's a good sign for the economy. He says small businesses buy most of the full sized trucks and there's a link between those sales and the housing market.